Splintered by A.G. Howard

Currently on pg. 212, chapter 12

With 159 pages to go, I am debating about jumping to the last chapter. Alyssa has just arrived at the Feast of Beasts. This is not the Mad Hatters Tea Party. Alyssa is suppose to go to the tea party and wake the guests. I think I will try to hang on until then. Wish me luck.

Splintered by A.G. Howard

Currently on pg. 160, chapter 9

I have in the past liked stories that put a dark twist on a well-known tale. I liked Johnny Depp's "Alice in Wonderland," the TV shows "Grimm" and "Sleepy Hollow," and the TV mini-series "Tin Man." This book was a little slow to grab me. But once they introduced the caterpillar character, Morpheus, I was hooked.

Splintered by A.G. Howard

Interest Level: Young Adult

Reading Level: 5.2 grade
Lexile: 780HL
Genre: Fantasy

Currently on pg. 68, chapter 5

The main character 16 year old Alyssa is a descendant of the girl who was the inspiration for Alice in "Alice in Wonderland." She fears that she is or soon will be mentally ill like her mother. This is a dark tale. However, no nightmares.... yet.

The Heir by Kiera Cass

Finished the book

Awww! A cliff hanger. The next book in the series is due to come out in 2016. I can't wait. I highly recommend this book.

The Heir by Kiera Cass

Currently on pg. 270, chapter 27

I like how Cass has weaved Erik, Henri's translator, into the storyline. I thought at first that he and Eadlyn could possibly end up together. However when the author came right out and said that he was appealing to Eadlyn but was not part of the Selection, I figured that he wouldn't be who she ended up with.

A PREDICTION - Don't read on if you hate it when people shout out who the killer is before Sherlock, Castle, or Dr. Henry Morgan have discovered who it is. (Those are characters on television shows.) I believe that Eadlyn and Kile will end up together but they will agree to have a long engagement so that Kile can go study architecture. I have 72 more pages to read. We shall see if my guess is correct.

The Heir by Kiera Cass

Interest Level: Young Adult

Reading Level: not rated
Lexile: not rated
Genre: Realistic fiction

Currently on pg. 78 chapter 10

The Selection series has been referred to as The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor. I have enjoyed the series so far. This book, the fourth in the series, picks up with Maxon and America reigning as king and queen of Illea. They have four children and the eldest, Eadlyn, must now go through the Selection to choose the man who will rule with her. So far the book is true to the style and theme of the series. I am enjoying it.

Seraphina's Promise by Ann E. Burg

Finished the book

Good book. Easy read. Sad.

Seraphina's Promise by Ann E. Burg

Currently on pg. 128

This book is written in the first person voice of Seraphine, a poor girl who lives in Haiti. Her family often goes hungry. They lost a baby to starvation. On page 43, Burg writes,
"I wonder what hunger is like
without a family
to fill the emptiness.

I think about Baby Pierre.
He never had a chance
to grow fat with our love."

On page 63,
"Sometimes happiness
eases hunger
better than rice and beans."

The idea of going hungry is so foreign to me. Even when I have done fasts, I have always known that at the end of the fast there would be food. The concept of not knowing when you might eat again is something that I cannot wrap my brain around. I find Seraphina's thoughts (mentioned above) on being hungry amazing.

Serafina's Promise by Ann E. Burg

Interest Level: 5-8 grade

Reading Level: 3.8 grade
Lexile: 590 HL
Genre: Realistic fiction/Novel in verse

Currently on pg. 11

I chose to read this book because it is one of the ORCA books. It is written in verse. I am not a fan of books written in verse. Since I tend to avoid these novels, I did a little research on why an author would write a novel in verse and why would someone choose to read them. The author Terry Farish said, "Many who work with English-language learners and others who struggle with reading seek novels that promote fluency and a sense of competence in readers. Verse novels accomplish just that." Teens, teachers, and librarians have suggested: 

“The length of the lines of the verses shaped the strands of a braid.”
“The lines made me race.”
“The verses are like tweets, a short form that our brains are adapting to.”
“The story is told in images, and it’s like you’re seeing frames in a movie.”
“The lines made me read slowly.”
And so, I read.

http://www.slj.com/2013/11/industry-news/why-verse-poetic-novels-are-a-natural-fit-for-historical-fiction-displacement-stories-and-struggling-readers/#_

Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, & Switzler

Interest Level: adult

Reading Level: not rated
Lexile: not rated
Genre: Non-fiction

Finished the book

Over this past school year, our staff has been reading "Crucial Conversations." I bought the book back in 2012 when the principal recommended it. I treated it as a reference book but did not read it cover to cover until now. We meet as a staff and break up into small groups of about 4 to discuss a chapter or two at a time. In May we will meet to finish up the book and the discussion. I found this book helpful. I think the authors have a lot of great concepts and ideas on how to have a healthy and productive conversation. I especially appreciated the how-to's when conversations get violent or stagnant. The book explores not only conversations in the business world but in one's personal life as well. I recommend this book to anyone.

We Hear the Dead by Dianne Salerni

Finished the book

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. As a non-fiction book, it is quite good. The storyline drags at points but so does life. I feel sorry for Maggie Fox. She seemed to never grasp true happiness. If you have any interest in spiritualism, I recommend this book.

We Hear the Dead by Dianne Salerni

Currently on pg. 398, ch. 45, part five

With less than 20 pages left in the book, I find the Fox sisters' story sad. The man that Maggie loved was always just out of her grasp. Kate believed her own lie. Leah was angry and bitter. The book is interesting but I would not wish the Fox sisters' life on anyone.